Out of state companies fined for violating no-call act

Georgia, Florida companies fined more than $100K

Two companies have been fined more than $100,000 combined for violating the Kansas No-Call Act.

A news release from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office on Tuesday said Bene-Fit Health Products, of Kingsland, Ga., and Vacations Digest, of Orlando, Fla., have been ordered to pay the state penalties and fees after the attorney general’s consumer protection division found the companies had contacted Kansans on the National Do-Not-Call list.

Bene-Fit Health Products solicited Kansans by telephone to market health seminars and wellness products in August and September last year, and has been ordered to pay the state $81,500.

Vacations Digest called Kansas consumers offering to assist in selling or renting unused timeshares, and has been ordered to pay the state $21,500.

The Kansas No-Call Act prohibits most businesses from calling consumers registered on the do-not-call list to sell a product or service. Organizations soliciting charitable donations, calls concerning political candidates or issues, or other calls unrelated to the sale of property or services don’t fall within the scope of the Kansas No-Call Act.

Those who wish to register for the national Do-Not-Call list can call (888) 382-1222 or visit www.donotcall.gov.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of
civility. Posts and comments do not reflect the views of this site.
Posts and comments are automatically checked for inappropriate
language, but readers might find some comments offensive or
inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the
"Flag as offensive" link below the comment.

While this press release regarding fines is good PR for the state, what's to stop the out of state companies from simply closing shop and changing names? I am curious as to how this law/fines are enforceable.

Now SOMEONE please find and fine/maime/deport/whatever that danged so called "credit services" wanting to lower interest rates on credit cards I don't even have. I am so sick of them calling several times a day vffrom several different numbers they have spoofed.

They are very rude people when you get really really tired of it, answer the phone and ask them to take you off their calling list.

I too am on the DNC list and I don't think there's a person I know that they are not calling!

Every once in a while, the FTC moves in on those companies. If you can stand it, work through for a couple minutes (pretend to have at least $10k in debt with at least 17% interest) with as nice a tone as possible, asking questions about the process and seeming really interested. When they finally ask for your credit card number, tell them "okay, I know you're going to check my balances but just in case something shows up on my statement I need to know the actual company name where you work, not just 'card services' so I can tell those [insert mild perjorative term here] at my credit card company that it's okay!" 80% of the people who work at those darn places are just trying to make a paycheck, and you've got a good chance of finding out who the actual company is.

Regardless, ALWAYS file a report at donotcall.gov because even though they use Caller ID spoofing, I have a feeling the "metadata" that's been in the news lately can help track these companies and the FTC *does* move in on them once in a while.

A few weeks back, I answered a call "Private Caller" and a woman was on the line who identified herself as being with a political campaign. I told her I did not want to take her call and that I was on the No Call List. She said, "Well, just so you know, that law doesn't apply to us, so we can call you." I firmly said I did not want her calling my number ever again and to take my name off of her call list and hung up.

I have not received any more of those calls, but hey, the campaign season is rapidly coming up, so there will probably be more of those calls. I learned NOT to pick up the phone when it says "Private Caller" or "Anonymous"......it almost always is someone you don't want to talk to! Sure the callers are just hourly workers trying to make a dollar, but there are other ways to earn a living without being a bother to people.

"Credit Card Services " finally sacked Rachel ! But her replacements male and female are using different phone numbers wanting to lower my interest rates "as part of the stimulas" .
Her and Lynn Jenkins are the only reason I keep a land line it gives the fools a number to call and my cell phone number remains secure .
My phone has a Chinese woman's voice answering that Ann U Nominus is calling . If I'm in the mood to rip someone a new one I'll answer otherwise I'll let 'em talk to the recorder .
Irratating anyway .

Traveller - thanks - I'll have to try that one. I usually just ask them to remove me and they hang up immediately.

oldem - I've got both my land-line and cell phone on the DNC lists. Doesn't seem to do any good. On the cell number if I don't recognize the number I just refuse to answer. Hopefully they'll get tired of calling one of these days.